Fair Oaks American Legion Riders, American Legion members who are also motorcycle enthusiasts and known for charitable works, rumbled up to the Cordova High School Performing Arts Center, adding a new element to the 17th annual Rancho Cordova Memorial Day Observance.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Beneath clear blue skies and American flags, more than 200 community members gathered Monday morning at the Cordova High School Performing Arts Center for a solemn and heartfelt Memorial Day ceremony.

Hosted by the Cordova Community Council, the event honored the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States.

“All we ask is for people to spend one hour with us to remember this sacrifice,” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council. “It’s a moment of love of country and a patriotic re-embrace.”

Davis Haven, a Peter J. Shields Elementary School student, was one of 75 students who submitted artwork for the Poppy Art Contest, held to introduce the symbolism of poppies on Memorial Day to a new generation.

The annual event has become a touchstone in Rancho Cordova, a dignified celebration steeped in remembrance and tradition. This year’s theme centered around the enduring symbol of the red poppy, made famous by Col. John McCrae’s World War I poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Red poppies, once seen growing on battle-scarred fields, now symbolize the bloodshed in defense of freedom.

“This was a powerful theme,” said Blanchard. “It connects us all the way back to World War I, reminding us that death in military service goes back generations. It’s our mission to introduce new generations to these American symbols and traditions.”

Seventy-five students submitted artwork for the Poppy Art Contest and their brightly-colored work could be seen lining the entrance to the venue. Winners were present with their families.

The Cordova High School Air Force Jr. ROTC showcased military precision in their role of presenting the American Flag to kick off the ceremony.

The Rancho Cordova River City Concert Band provided a musical backdrop for the morning, playing patriotic selections that filled the auditorium. A Missing Man Tribute, presented by the Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), paid emotional homage to those who never returned home and the Cordova High School Air Force Jr. ROTC showcased military precision in their role of presenting the American Flag to kick off the ceremony.

“The concert band really serves as the musical backbone of the event,” Blanchard said. “They did a great job, as they always do.”

Fair Oaks American Legion Riders, American Legion members who are also motorcycle enthusiasts and known for charitable works, rumbled up to the Cordova High School Performing Arts Center, adding a new element to the 17th annual Rancho Cordova Memorial Day Observance.

The Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) hosted a hot dog luncheon following the ceremonies, giving veterans and families an opportunity to swap stories and remember.

After the ceremony, attendees gathered for complimentary refreshments, including hot dogs hosted by the Non-Commissioned Officers Association and cupcakes decorated in white, red and blue frosting.

“It was a perfect day. The weather was beautiful and the community really came together,” said Blanchard. “It was dignified and solemn, just as it should be.”

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, next year’s Memorial Day observance promises to be an even deeper reflection on the generations who have sacrificed to uphold the nation’s ideals, promote and protect the Constitution.

Members of Rancho Cordova Whisker Warriors, which supports veterans by helping with pet care, served patriotic cupcakes to sweeten the mood after a moving Memorial Day program.